The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-07-21

J would astOnish those who have never tried
ID. The expense Of erecting and maintain
ing much of the internal farm fences
might be dispensed with rather an impor-
tant thing now a,days, when timber for
fencing is becoming so scarce.
: What are farmers clubs about that they
don't take up this system of winter and
spring feeding of our COWS and other
beasts, and outstanding our resources in
our stables? Is not this all important when
wheat is selling for from 20 to soc. per
bushel, and costs to raise and market it
alone Csc per Dushel, while in the west it
can be raised for 35c. !?
G. C. BRUCE,
Civil and Mining Engineer and Architect
Staunton, Va, July II. 1887.
|
Mr.. Lincoin's Maple Trees.
GSM IN r the VIRGNIAN.I
business affairs in which We were mutu-
ally interested recently brought to my
house an agreeable old gentleman named
Johnson, from one OF the South western
States.
| The matter which had brought us to-
| gether detained Mr.. johnson in our town
for several days, and in the intervals of
| discussing the business in hand we
gathered much general information from
our new acquaintance, who seems to have
led an eyentful and somewhat ambling
life.
| When Mr.. johnson ment Toned that he
had in early life spent number of years
near Springfield, Illinois, we asked if he
had known Mr.. Lincoln and this led to
various "reminiscences of the martyr presi
dent. One of the incidents related so full
ly illustrates Mr.. Lincoln patience and for
| bearance that / give it as nearly as | can
recall it in the narrator's own Words
II may say that L knew Mr.. Lincoln all
his life, said Mr.. Johnson, ''for we were
| born in the same district of country. My
father knew Lincoln's father for many
| years before | was born, and was acquaint-
| ed with all the circumstances of the Presi-
dents early life. To comprehend his
character fully, it must be borne in mind
humanity. He took his start from among
obscure and uneducated people. He was
big and brawny and exceedingly homely in
physical appearance. His native wit was
sprouted and matured and adapted to low
life. His mind was strong and vigorous,
and his character the truest, and most
lovable have ever known among men,
He was practicing law in Springfield when
l went there, a mere youth, and knowing
| my father and family we'll, he was very
kind to me from the first. l loved him
dearly, and my respect and affection for
him increased as [ learned of his domestic
trials. It was we'll known in the COM
munity that Ms. Lincoln's temper was
extremely capricious. Many persons
thought even then that her mind was i'll.
that Mr.. Lincoln's extreme forbearance
with his wife was due to the fact that he
considered her in danger of becoming in
sane. A tendency to such misfortune
was said to exist in her family. Nothing
| could exceed Mr.. Lincoln's patience and
gentleness with his eXcitable and often
most unreasonable wife. / will give you
an instance of this which shows the char
acter of the man. We had both bought
property in the fast growing town, and
were both much interested in improving
the grounds about our homes. There
was a porch On the south side of Mr.. Lin
coin S house, on which he liked to sit and
talk with his friends. when the sun, which
is intensely hot at certain hours in that
climate, did not drive us indoors [ was
especially foud of the sugar maple, and in
clined to worship that tree as q sort of
deity. Mr.. Lincoln agreed with me in
admiring naples, of which I could never
get enough on my place. and he promised
to adopt my suggestion that he should
plant several trees of that kind near the
porch | mentioned to protect it from the
Summer Sun. He did not procure the
trees as quickly as thought he ought TO
do, having great deal of business on his
hands. [ was getting fresh supply of
young naples for my own place and when
they arrived, | made the WAGNER who
brought them, drive oyer to Mr.. Lincoln IS
house and leave there half dozen thrifty
trees. Mr.. Lincoln was much pleased
with the little present. and had the trees
planted with great care, one being placed at
each end of the south porch of his house.
The season was propitious. the trees at |
once took root, and from the first grew
finely. In a few years they completely |
shaded the porch, which became MI Lin
coins favorite resting place, where in
good weather he loved to have his friends |
about him.
Mr.. Lincoln was always my lawyer, dur
ing my residence in the district, and as my |
property increased, | frequently went to |
him to consult about my affairs, as had |
great confidence in his Judgment.
One morning was sitting in his office, |
waiting for an important paper he was
preparing for me. when Patrick Kelly an |
Irishman, who had long been in Mr.. Lin
coins employment, and was highly es- |
teemed by him, entered the room. Pat. |
seemed to have something Oh his mind |
and lowered restlessly ABOUT the office, |
looking anxiously at Mr. Lincoln, but not |
speaking. AT first no notice was taken of |
him, but as he continued to move about, |
MI. Lincoln said in bis usual kindly man |
ner, without raising his eyes from the |
work in which he was engaged
swell, Patrick, what is it 7"
Pat drew nearer. and with an expression !
of distress on his usually cheerful face, |
said in anxious tones, "Shure, an / was
afther akin Sur, if you want me to cut |
down the two maple trees that shades the
South porchl"
"No |" said MI. Lincoln in loud stern
voice, as he dropped his pen. and sat erect
in his chair, his whole frame reused with
indignation, and he looked in angry sur
prise at the dlscomftted Irishman.
why the devil should you cut down
my maple trees 81 ne said, wrathfully re
garding his seryingman; wonder what put
| such fool notion as that in your head ~